Defeating Chelsea ‘probably the toughest challenge’ says Manchester United boss Skinner | OneFootball

Manchester United head coach Marc Skinner says that defeating Chelsea is probably the toughest challenge in football.

The Red Devils face The Blues in an Adobe Women’s FA Cup semi-final tie at The Leigh Sports Village this afternoon.

When speaking in the pre-match press conference, Manchester United boss Skinner highlighted the enormity of the challenge facing his side and insisted that The Red Devils will have to be at their absolute best.

“Chelsea are probably the toughest challenge within football, especially in England,” Skinner said.

“For us, I have no doubt that we will have to be at our very best, there’s no doubt about that. We’ve got to be humble enough to work hard, sacrifice and suffer without the ball and when we get it, we have to show an abundance of personality. If we can do that, I have no doubt that we can beat any team, let alone a team as good as Chelsea.

“We are preparing for an epic fight, a big game. If we prepare mentally for that and we give absolutely everything, we can win the game. It’s about actions rather than words; we need to put everything into action and give it all of the energy that we have. We are all going to have to sacrifice to be successful because this is the hardest team that we are going to play against.”

Chelsea forward Lauren James netted a hat-trick when the two sides last met at Stamford Bridge in January. Skinner says that Manchester United need to be aware of her threat, although attention must be spread across all of Chelsea’s attacking talents.

He said “Having watched her so many times, she’s a fantastic player but Chelsea have a lot of those, so you don’t prepare specifically for her.

“We also have those players, we have game-changing players and players who can win games. For us, of course, you have to have a focus on how you treat individuals within that team as well because they have that talent pool but from our perspective, when we go into duels with her, we have to be strong, read what she is going to try and do which is very difficult. Also, there will be moments of luck in the game for both teams, there will be chances and we have to take them.

“I dont think it’s a special conversation around one particular player because I’m sure Chelsea will have to do the same for us but you have to have an awareness. When she comes into your area, you have to be prepared to know how to deal with her.”

Manchester United’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup semi-final tie against Chelsea kicks-off at 2.35pm. Tickets remain on-sale and can be purchased by clicking here.